• Risktakers- the revolutionaries who can develop and lead a new or changing business or institution during their birth, infancy and early youth.
• Caretakers- the evolutionary, systematic growers who can move the company and institution from its infancy to adulthood.
• Surgeons- the "restructurers" who can objectively and clinically focus on the most critical and vital organs and discard or replace those who don't make the grade. These prosper when the organization is mature and may have gotten too top heavy.
• Undertakers- those who recognize that the organization can't make it on its own and need to be merged with a healthy organization or closed down. They are sensitive and committed to the people and their needs during this trying process.

The selecting of the right leaders takes more than matching the life cycle or an organization. It requires matching the leader with the customer, the competitive situation, the investors, government and community. Once the leader is selected, the book, highlights what type of supporting people and organizational structures are required to make it all work.

In short, Risktaker, Caretaker, Surgeon, Undertaker provided the guidelines needed to assure that the right leader fits the organizations needs. It is a "must" for all Board members and individuals responsible for the selection of leaders, both at the corporate, business unit, segment and product line levels of an organization.